Sega Announces Release Date for Sega Genesis Mini

Another nostalgic video game console is coming back but in a much smaller form. The Sega Genesis Mini is the next classic console to return from the past and it’s launching with a few memorable games released on the original system 30 years ago.

Announced at SEGA FES 2019 in Tokyo, the mini version of Sega’s console will be available this September for $79.99. The original Sega Genesis released in North America in 1989, one year before it debuted in Japan, where it is known as the Mega Drive. The Mega Drive Mini will also be releasing in Japan this year.

Now, three decades later, the Genesis Mini will release with 40 retro games, a few of which the company announced on social media.

The Sega Mini so far will include Ecco the Dolphin, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Space Harrier II, Shining Force, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, ToeJam & Earl, Comix Zone, Sonic The Hedgehog, Altered Beast, and Gunstar Heroes in North America. The Mega Drive Mini will release with a few different games.

Sega said they will release the names of the remaining 30 games in the months before the official release of the 16-bit console. The mini version will come with two wired controllers with the three classic buttons. This means you’ll be able to play with friends instead of having to buy a second one.

This seems to be the era of the mini classic console. Nintendo started the trend with their NES Classic and the SNES Classic. Then Sony put out their PlayStation Classic late last year. The official release date for the Sega Genesis Mini will be September 19th in the West. You can watch the announcement trailer below.

While you aren’t able to order one yet, Sega said a way to pre-order the Sega Genesis Mini will be announced on their website soon.

Scott’s been gaming since he could hold a controller in his hands. He’s a journalist who loves Dungeons and Dragons, video games, tabletop RPGs, and comic books. He has an intelligence of 6, he knows what he’s doing.